By Drake Skleba
Senior Writer

LOCKPORT – In a ninth-annual WJOL Area Invitational Tournament semifinal, Lockport (4-1) advanced with some late-inning heroics to stun Plainfield South 4-3. With the win, the 19^th-ranked Porters will take on No. 12 Providence Celtics, for the WJOL Area Invitational Tournament championship at Silver Cross Field in Joliet at 7:30 tonight.

Providence won at home on a three-run walk-off homer from junior Phil Kunsa, 5-2, over the defending WJOL Area Invitational champions from Minooka (1-2).

Plainfield South had come all the way back from a 2-0 first-inning deficit to take the lead 3-2 in the top of the sixth.

With one out, in the bottom of the sixth, Porter senior catcher Derek Bangert connected with a hanging changeup from Cougar senior relief pitcher Jared Mitzelfelt. The ball soared over the left field fence, quickly knotting things up at 3-3. Senior third baseman Doug Matthews, after attempting to bunt, crushed a Mitzelfelt fastball that also exited the premises at Ed Flink Field in Lockport for the game-winner. 

“I thought this was a really big win for us. To come back after Plainfield South had taken the lead was huge,” said Bangert. “I wasn’t thinking about a homer but he left a changeup upstairs and I got it all. We have been looking forward to playing in the championship game all week. It will be awesome at Silver Cross tonight.”

Porter junior closer Noah Massa had a perfect seventh to nail down the save for Porter winning pitcher Connor Ryan.

“Great game for us,” said Matthews. “I really did well at the plate. I was trying to catch them off guard with a drag bunt and missed it. I was able to hit a high fastball and drive it out for the game-winner.”

Plainfield South was led by senior second baseman John Smith, who doubled home a Cougar run in the game-tying two-run fifth. Senior right fielder Jermaine Terry singled home the first Cougar run in the fifth. 

“Plainfield South is a quality team,” said Lockport head coach Andy Satunas. “I’m really proud of the way Derek and Doug came through for us in the clutch. We’re really looking forward to playing Providence for the championship tonight.

Plainfield South will meet Minooka in the third place game at Silver Cross tonight at 5.

“It was all about two good teams battling tonight,” said Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine. “Lockport is a good team and I think we are a good team. It’s all about getting on the field and playing.”

Providence 5, Minooka 2
In WJOL semifinal two at Providence, the hosts Celtics rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to stun Minooka 5-2. Celtic junior Phil Kunsa sent the Celtic fans into orbit when he crushed a walk-off three run bomb.

The game was scoreless after six innings. Both starting pitchers, Minooka’s Josh Mitchell and Providence’s Jake Godfrey, were lights-out in the game. Mitchell scattered four hits over his 5 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. Mitchell had seven strikeouts. Godfrey punched-out four in his five innings of five-hit baseball for Providence (3-1).

In the top of the seventh, 2012 WJOL Area Invitational MVP, Joe Carnagio ripped a clutch two run single to give the Indians a 2-0 lead.

Providence senior Devin Williams led off the Providence seventh, with a solo-shot to cut the Minooka lead to 2-1. Seniors Nick Sanders and Billy Quirke singled after two out to set the stage for Kunsa’s heroics.

Joliet West 3, Joliet Central 0
In a consolation semifinal at Ed Flink Field in Lockport, Joliet West (3-1) defeated its crosstown-rival Joliet Central 3-0. Tiger RHP Zach fired a three-hit masterpiece at the Steelmen.

West scored the first run of the game on an RBI single by Anthony Dinardo. In the bottom of the sixth, Alex Latos came through with a clutch two-run single to give West a 3-0 lead.

“It was my first outing of the year,” said Thomas. “It was great to finally be on the mound. I felt great today and am very happy to help us get this victory after yesterday’s tough loss.”

Joliet West will meet Joliet Catholic, a 2-1 winner over Plainfield Central, for fifth place at Silver Cross today at 2:30.

“It was great to bounce back from yesterday’s loss,” said Joliet West coach John Karczewski.

“Zach was outstanding for us on the mound today. I am really proud of Alex for coming through in the clutch as he did.”